Count Down Underway to Rotorua Lakes Trout Opening 14 Sep 2016
Related articles
- Niki Roderick Extends Depth To New Zealand Record Sport
- NZ More Interested in All Whites than All Blacks Sport
- All Whites claim historic point Sport
- Prime Minister to travel to South Africa News
- Snow on The Remarkables Living
- Team Selected for Ultimate Ride Jet-ski Sport
- Trubridge Triumphs With Unassisted Freedive Record Sport
- New Zealand 2011 Business Club launched Business
- 300 feet down: two bare feet and one breath of air Living
- Wyatt claims title Sport
14 SEPTEMBER 2016
Count Down Underway to Rotorua Lakes
Trout Opening
More than a thousand anglers are expected to turn out for the start of the new fishing season on the Rotorua lakes (October 1, 2016) with the season start falling on the weekend this year.
It is the first time in five years the opening of the trout fishing season has fallen on a Saturday, and being in the middle of school holidays, provides “ideal opportunities” for families to get out on the water, says Fish & Game.
Lakes Rotoiti, Tarawera and Okataina, which have been closed to fishing from boats over winter, will open to anglers from 5am on Saturday, October 1.
Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne says the Eastern Region is again running a Fish for Gold promotion that gives licensed anglers who register in time the chance to catch a specially tagged fish worth $10,000.
“This sparked a real buzz last year and we’re sure it will again. We’ll be outlining the details shortly but the promotion will run from Opening Day October first, to October 9.”
Mr Osborne says there are encouraging indicators for the new season, including a total of 1112 fish recorded through Fish & Game’s trap on a stream flowing into Lake Tarawera. The trap monitors the spawning season and provides brood stock for the Ngongotaha hatchery production.
“That’s 100 fish up on the previous season and showed a ratio of 70 percent hatchery fish compared to 30 percent wild ones.
“That ratio is a good result which supports our breeding strategies and fish releases,” Mr Osborne says. “It shows the need for hatchery fish to meet the pressure that anglers put on the lake.”
Winter
fishing on the Rotorua lakes has been steady but not
exceptional, he says.
Lake Tarawera saw some big night
runs of spawning fish (70-80 on some nights), and while
anglers on Lake Rotoiti had not caught fish in huge numbers,
some good “double figure” trout had been
landed.
Several nice 4kg plus fish had also been caught from Lake Okataina.
“Open year round, trolling on Lake Rotorua has been highly productive in late winter and early spring. One visitor reported multiple double hook-ups trolling and harling in shallow water. ”
Lakes Okataina and Rotoiti are again tipped to produce the biggest fish, Mr Osborne says.
Most of the fish caught will be two year-old hatchery-bred fish around 49cm to 50 cm long, but a lot of larger three year-olds are also expected to be caught, around 55cm to 59cm.
“Anglers who manage to hook those fish in particular will certainly be rewarded with a few satisfying and exciting moments.”
Lake Tarawera has traditionally drawn the most anglers as it provides good early season catch rates, and it’s picturesque with plenty of sheltered spots to fish.
“We are hoping Tarawera will give up its rainbows more willingly this opening,” Mr Osborne adds, “after a hard start to the 2015-16 season for many anglers."
Lake Tarawera's trout improved in condition throughout last season following a resurgence in their main food source – smelt. “Whether this trend continues will again largely be dependent on smelt abundance within the lake.”
Fish releases into Tarawera have been adjusted in view of a decline in overall angler pressure as highlighted by a seven-yearly New Zealand-wide angler survey, he adds.
For those anglers preferring the solitude provided by river fishing, it is also an exciting time of year. Many rivers and streams that closed at the end of June, also reopen to trout fishing.
The best known of these are the renowned Ruakituri and Waioeka rivers. Both have healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout but experienced bouts of flooding through the winter period.
High water will have cleared algae from the rocks and exposed invertebrates for the fish to feed on. Reports are good for the early season angling.
Fishing tips for boaties
Eastern Fish & Game Officer Mark Sherburn says that before the sun gets on the water, the fishing is often slow but picks up during the first few hours of daylight.
“Shallow trolling with a ‘Tassie’ and a smelt fly is a successful way to begin. If it’s sunny and there’s lots of boat traffic, expect the fish to move a little deeper.
“If they do, adopt a deep trolling method such as lead line, wire or downrigger. It’s hard to beat orange as a lure colour early in the season, or something with a touch of red and don’t forget to try the tried and true black and gold toby.”
Mr Sherburn reminds anglers they should have given their motor a check over and test run before going near one of the launching ramps.
And he suggests anglers should check over their fishing gear too. “Check the line-to-leader connections, dab a little grease on the spindle of your reels, and buy some fresh mono when you go to the tackle store to buy your new licence.”
If you plan to hit the water early or stay out late, then make sure the ‘nav’ lights are working and remember to have lifejackets for everyone, he says.
Mr Sherburn urges anglers seeking new spots – or those who’re new to the Eastern region – to call in to the Fish & Game office on Paradise Valley Road for some advice from staff, and brochures on the various lakes.
They are available at fishing stores and licence agents, or from the Fish & Game website, http://eastern.fishandgame.org.nz/
Need more Help?
Fish & Game invites readers to call for tips and information on 07- 357 5501, or visit the Fish & Game website: http://eastern.fishandgame.org.nz/ for lots more information
ends
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more